Mathematics with Economics MSci

This MSci offers an extra year of study on top of the Mathematics with Economics BSc, during which students have the opportunity to specialise further by taking more advanced modules, and undertaking a major project. No previous knowledge of economics is required.

Key Information

Programme starts

September 2019

UCAS code

G1LC

Duration

Full-time: 4 years

Application deadline

15 January 2019

Location

London, Bloomsbury

Entry requirements

A Levels

Grades

A*A*A with A*A* in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, or A*AA with A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, any order, and a 2 in any STEP Paper or a Distinction in the Mathematics AEA.

Subjects

A*A*A with A*A* in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, or A*AA with A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, any order, and a 2 in any STEP Paper or a Distinction in the Mathematics AEA.

English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-requirements

IB Diploma

Points

39-40

Subjects

A score of 20 points in three higher level subjects including 7 in Mathematics, or 19 points in three higher level subjects including 7 in Mathematics and a 2 in any STEP paper or a distinction in Mathematics AEA, with no score below 5.

A score of 19 points in three higher level subjects including 7 in Mathematics, with no score below 5.

Additional tests

Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP)

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme

D2,D2,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including Mathematics. Or D2,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject Certificates, including Mathematics and a 1 in any STEP paper

A1,A1,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A1 at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher) including Mathematics, or A1,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A1,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher) including Mathematics and a 1 in any STEP paper

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-levels at grades A*A*A, or A*AA and a 2 in any STEP paper or Distinction in AEA. To include Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

International applications

In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

Degree benefits

There are close and exciting connections between parts of economic theory and certain areas of abstract mathematics. Research interests of staff allow the possibility of advanced modules in this area.

The MSci allows for additional in-depth study, providing the skills necessary for academic research in mathematics and economics.

Highly regarded UCL Mathematics is home to world-leading researchers in a wide range of fields, especially geometry, spectral theory, number theory, fluid dynamics and mathematical modelling.

Three of the six British winners of the Fields medal (the mathematician's equivalent of the Nobel Prize) have associations with the department.

Degree structure

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

In the first two years you will receive a thorough grounding in analysis, algebra and mathematical methods, following the same modules as the single-subject Mathematics students taking 3.0 credits each year. In place of the Applied Mathematics modules, you will take 1.0 credit of introductory economics each year (comprising both microeconomics and macroeconomics). Having laid the basic foundations there is a range of options in both mathematics and economics in the third and fourth years. The fourth year will include a major project, which will involve a substantial piece of written work and a presentation.

This programme is offered as a three-year BSc or a four-year MSci degree. The first two years of the programme are identical, and students are advised to apply for the MSci degree in the first instance, as it is possible to transfer to the BSc during the first three years.

Optional modules

Your learning

Teaching is mainly carried out through lectures and small-group tutorials. Problem classes allow you to exercise the skills you have learned. In addition, an 'office hours' system for each programme allows you to meet with tutors on a one-to-one basis to review parts of the degree you find interesting or that need clarifying. A Student Mentor scheme runs in the department offering support and advice to first-years.

Assessment

Most modules are assessed by two-hour written examinations in the third term, with a small element (10%) of coursework assessment.

Further Information

Careers

We aim to develop your skills in mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and accurate mathematical manipulation. You will also learn to handle abstract concepts and to think critically, argue logically and express yourself clearly.

A mathematics degree is highly valued by employers due to the skills in logical thinking, analysis, problem-solving and, of course, numeracy, that it develops.

Graduates have gone forward to use their mathematical skills in careers in the City of London, such as forecasting, risk analysis and trading; in financial services, such as accountancy, banking and insurance; and in scientific research, information technology and industry.

Further study, such as a Master's degree or a PGCE qualification, is another popular option.

Destinations

First career destinations of recent graduates (2013-2015) of Mathematics with Economics programmes at UCL include:

Financial Analyst, Credit Suisse

Analyst, KPMG

MSc in Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Oxford

Finance Analyst, Citigroup

Graduate Financial Analyst, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

Data taken from the 'Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education' survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013-2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.

Alumni view

“UCL provides an inclusive environment, allowing students to connect with people from various backgrounds. In my third year I studied in Copenhagen, which helped me define my interest within the field. Since graduation UCL professors have provided support and recommendation in my applications for Master's and PhD programmes. UCL also provides many opportunities to get involved in sports, volunteering, the arts - it is a unique experience.”Marta Pienkowska - Mathematics with Economics MSci 2013

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2019/20 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2019/20 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

UK/EU students

£9,250 (2019/20)

Overseas students

£23,470 (2019/20)

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Funding

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

Departmental scholarships

The scholarships listed below are for 2018 entry. Funding opportunities for students applying for 2019 entry will be published when they are available.

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Application and next steps

Your application

In addition to academic requirements, we expect you to demonstrate an understanding and enjoyment of the subject beyond the examined syllabus, through your reading and involvement in problem-solving activities. Evidence of your curiosity and perseverance in tackling puzzles, and your enjoyment of logical and abstract thinking, should be shown in your application.

How to apply

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.